Aprilaire Humidifier Leaking Water? – (Easy Fix Guide)

Is your Aprilaire humidifier leaking water and making a mess? It can get messy with water dripping and pooling around your humidifier.

You’ll also notice that it’s not performing well, and there’s mold or mildew growth around your device.

To fix your Aprilaire humidifier leaking water, check the different parts, like the water panel, housing, and drain lines. Keep it clean, especially if using hard water, as it causes blockages due to mineral deposits.

It’s time we explore the different solutions!

10 Top Solutions to Fix Aprilaire Humidifier Leaking Water 

The good news is that your Aprilaire humidifier is leaking water, a common issue, and has many fixes.

We have arranged them from easiest to complex and recommend doing them in order.

#1: Inspect the Water Panel

The water panel is one of the most important parts of your humidifier as it’s the component that provides the moisture for your home.

If it’s clogged, dirty, or damaged, it will cause your humidifier to leak and make a mess. You want to check it and replace it if necessary.

Here are the steps on how to properly inspect the water panel on your humidifier:

1. Turn off the power to your humidifier.
2. Remove the cover of your unit.
3. Remove the water panel from the frame.
4. Inspect it for any signs of scale buildup, mineral deposits, rust, or cracks.
5. If it’s dirty or clogged, clean it with a vinegar or a lime-based solution.
6. If it’s damaged or worn out, replace it with a new one.
7. Reinstall the water panel with the marked side facing up.
8. Replace the cover of your humidifier and turn on the power.

Pro Tip: Ideally, you want to replace your water panel at least once a year.

#2: Check the Housing for Cracks

The housing is the plastic casing that encloses your humidifier unit. It protects the internal components from dust, debris, and moisture. If it’s cracked, broken, loose, or misaligned, it will cause your humidifier to leak water.

To check the housing for cracks, follow these steps:

1. Switch off the power to your humidifier.
2. Remove the cover and examine the housing.
3. You want to watch out for cracks, holes, gaps, or loose screws.
4. If the housing is cracked or broken, replace it with a new one.
5. If loose or misaligned, tighten the screws or adjust your unit.
6. Replace the cover of your unit and turn on the power.

Note: The housing needs to be intact and secure at all times.

#3: Make Sure the Drain Line is Clear

Another component you need to look out for is the drain line of your humidifier.

If it’s clogged, pinched, or disconnected, it will cause your humidifier to leak water. You need to check and clear it immediately.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Turn off the power to your humidifier.
2. Remove the cover of the unit to inspect the drain line.
3. Disconnect the drain line from the bottom of the unit.
4. Blow air through the drain line or use a wire hanger to clear blockages.
5. Reconnect the drain line to the bottom of the unit.
6. Check the line’s other end and ensure it’s connected to a floor drain.
7. Replace the cover of your humidifier and restore the power.

Tip: You also want to inspect the entire length of the drain line from your humidifier unit down to the drain to check for any signs of damage.

#4: Ensure that Your Humidifier is Level and Aligned

If your Aprilaire humidifier is leaking water, you want to make sure that it’s level and aligned after installation.

Even though it’s small, the alignment affects your humidifier’s performance and efficiency. If your unit is tilted, slanted, or skewed, it will cause water leaks.

Here’s how to make sure your humidifier unit is parallel to the floor:

1. Turn off the power and remove the cover of your humidifier.
2. Use a level tool to check if your humidifier is aligned and parallel to the floor.
3. If not, adjust the mounting bracket or shims until it is.
4. Replace the cover of your unit and restore the power.

The solutions above all check for issues with your humidifier’s physical components.

We recommend you proceed to the more advanced methods below if you still have water leak problems.

#5: Confirm that the Float Valve is Not Stuck

Another cause of your humidifier leaking water is the float valve not working properly. This device regulates the water level in your reservoir and indicates if it needs to add more water or not.

If it’s jammed, stuck, or broken, it will cause your humidifier to leak water.

Here’s how to know if it’s stuck and the steps to fix it:

1. Turn off the power to your humidifier and remove the cover.
2. Find the float valve in the reservoir tank of your unit.
3. Inspect and make sure that it moves freely with the water level.
4. Check that the valve opens and closes as the float rises and falls.
5. If it’s stuck, clean it with a vinegar or a lime-based solution.
6. Replace the cover and restore the power to your unit.

Note: If you find out that the float valve is broken, you must replace it with a new one.

#6: Clean and Disinfect Your Humidifier Regularly

To maintain your humidifier’s performance and efficiency, we recommend cleaning it regularly.

Doing this on a schedule will prevent scale buildup, mineral deposits, and mold growth, which can cause water leaks as they contribute to clogging or corrosion.

Here’s how to clean and disinfect your Aprilaire humidifier:

1. Switch off the power to your humidifier and remove the cover.
2. Take out parts like the water panel, distribution tray, and drain spout.
3. Carefully clean each piece with a vinegar or a lime-based solution.
4. Rinse each part with clean water and dry them thoroughly.
5. Disinfect each part with hydrogen peroxide or bleach using a spray bottle.
6. Rinse each part again with clean water and dry thoroughly.
7. Reassemble all the components back into the humidifier unit.
8. Replace the cover and turn on the power to your humidifier.

Note: If there’s a lot of buildup and mineral deposits, we recommend soaking each component in a solution of one part vinegar and one part water overnight.

#7: Replace the Wick Filter

Your wick filter ensures that the water your humidifier turns to vapor is clean. It means all the dirt and mineral buildup is left on the filter.

If it gets too dirty, clogged, or worn out, it will cause your unit to leak water.

Here’s how to replace your filter:

1. Switch off the power and remove the cover of your unit.
2. Locate the wick filter in your reservoir tank.
3. Remove the old wick filter and discard it.
4. Insert a new filter into the tank.
5. Ensure it’s fully submerged in water for a couple of minutes.
6. Replace the cover and turn on your humidifier.

Tip: We recommend replacing your wick filter every two to three months, depending on your water quality.

#8: Check the Water Pressure and Use a Reducer

Since the Aprilaire humidifier system is for your entire home, it’s directly connected to your water supply.

If the water pressure is too high or low, it will cause your humidifier to leak water.

You need it to be at the right levels, so ensure optimal water pressure is delivered to your unit.

1. Find the water inlet valve on the side of your unit.
2. Attach a water pressure gauge to the valve and turn on the water supply.
3. Read the water pressure on the gauge.
4. If the water pressure is too high, install a pressure reducer valve.
5. If it’s too low, contact your plumber or provider to increase your water pressure.

Recommended: The range at which your Aprilaire humidifier will work optimally is between 20 and 125 psi.

#9: Inspect the Solenoid Valve

Before the water from your supply line gets inside your humidifier reservoir, it must pass through a solenoid valve.

The valve controls the water flow and gets its signal from your humidistat. If it’s faulty, dirty, or clogged, it won’t work correctly and cause water to leak.

To inspect your solenoid valve, follow these steps:

1. Locate the solenoid valve of your humidifier on the side of your unit.
2. Disconnect the wires from the solenoid coil and remove it from the valve body.
3. Check if the coil is damaged, corroded, or burned out.
4. If it is, you must replace it with a new one.
5. If it’s dirty or stuck, use a needle or wire to remove the debris.
6. Reconnect the wires to the solenoid coil and reinstall it on the valve body.

Note: If you decide to replace the solenoid, we recommend using the services of a professional.

#10: Adjust the Humidistat Setting 

The humidistat measures and regulates the humidity levels in your home. Setting it too high or low can cause issues with your humidifier.

Both cases will result in water leaks, whether over or under-humidification.

You will need to adjust your humidistat setting depending on the current conditions in your home.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Locate the humidistat of your unit.
2. Check if it has a digital display or an analog dial.
3. Adjust the humidity levels by pressing the up or down buttons.
4. If you have an analog dial, turn the knob to your desired level.
5. Monitor the humidity level for a few days and check for any leaks.
6. Adjust the humidistat settings until the leaks stop.

Note: The optimal humidity levels for most homes are between 30% and 50%, but yours can vary depending on the season and outdoor conditions.

Quick Recap

Your Aprilaire humidifier leaking water means an issue with one of the components or the setting.

Ensure your humidifier is clean by removing mineral deposits and buildups from the water panel to the drain lines. Adjust your humidity settings to the optimal values.

To know what’s wrong with your Aprilaire humidifier and read up on troubleshooting guides, visit our blog!